Council wants residents' views on major road scheme

Residents are being asked to share their views on a major road improvement scheme, which was halted two years ago due to costs.

Last month Oxfordshire County Council’s A40 improvement programme between Oxford and Eynsham finally secured £126m of government funding.

Construction on the road paused in 2022, with a park and ride built on the planned route left abandoned.

The scheme includes a new junction on the A40 to bring the park and ride into use and people can have a say on the plans from 25 November until 1 January.

New bus lanes and upgraded walking and cycling facilities will be installed as part of the works.

There will also be new signal-controlled crossings to enhance safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

Work on the route, which is used by about 32,000 vehicles every day, first began in November 2020 before being halted two years later.

Councillor Judy Roberts, the council's head of infrastructure and development strategy, said: "This public engagement is an opportunity to review the detailed plans and we look forward to listening to residents’ feedback on the proposals.

"This is an important project that will improve travel along the A40 in West Oxfordshire and help us realise the vision for a greener, more connected Oxfordshire."

The plans, maps and an online survey will be available on a council website and there will also be two walk-in exhibitions showing the plans and designs at Cassington village hall on 25 November and Eynsham village hall on 4 December between 15:00 -19:00 GMT.

Funding for the development has come from Homes England's Housing Infrastructure Fund and the Department for Transport's Local Growth Fund.

With the funding in place, the authority is now seeking planning permission and any feedback gathered will be considered as part of the planning process.

If planning permission is granted, the council previously said work could begin in early 2026 and last for two years.

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